Thread: HD clicking??

im guessing that the power is the problem like you assumed. Unless the HDD doesnt like the colder weather. To make things easier, i guess try another hdd if possible for a week or so, see if things get better.....

i had this problem once, and only one with my HDD. I would not boot AT ALL, just clicked. Gave it about 10-16hrs (next day) worked fine, and is still working 1.5years later.... i guess it was just way too cold for a HDD that night!

i have sitting next to me a 20gb HD that a customer returned in his computer because it wouldnt boot the first time he plugged it in. I tried it and the HD makes a clicking noise on the first boot after you plug it in.... It is weird. Unfortunatly i have to wait for Western Digital to ship me another one.

the thing is that the computer boots...and starts loading windows. Only starts clicking when windows start loading drivers....and I also realized that when my engine is off, the computer boots up fine... only when engine is turned on....could it be noise on the 12V line causing this??

It sounds like you are getting noise, or your power supply is staring to fail. What is the voltage at the 12V input on the supply when the car is running?

Im gonna check that first thing in the morning....take my car appart if i have to! this problem is ****ing me off.....im afraid the HD might totally crash if i dont fix this soon...
It MUST be either noise....or not enough current being supplied to the PSU...bc the puter works fine at home on my 12V bench power supply. I might have to go with a noise filter of some sort....

What do you mean by clicking...does it sound like the head is searching because of bad sectors, or does it sound like the head is hitting the stops?

It's the same sound the HD makes when u first power it on. It sounds as if the HD lost power and then regained....so it just stops spinning then starts again.

I checked voltages ...when car is off it's ~ 12.4V and when engine is on, 14.4V. I don't think the problem lies there... I think its noise. Im gonna ave to go to ratshack and get one of those noise filters.

Oh yea, that noise...

I know WD has some kind of test program you can download to test their drives.

Run the thorough scandisk and see if it comes up with errors...a failing drive should (at least when it happens to me) have errors that increase in number.

I have had that before...can't remember the outcome...I think that is what I got before the seagate died.

I ran the HD check utilities from Western Digital and it didn't show errors.
Next thing I am trying is using a different ATA66/100 cable, I am guessing that the cable might be flawed.

Maybe someone spot any flaws in my power wiring schematic ??




[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: moahdib ]